Engine blew after 2 weeks of ownership... luckily it was still under warranty at the time.
Replaced front rotors at about 50,000 miles.
Replaced head gasket twice!
Replaced water pump 3 times!
Front wheel bearings were shot at 40,000 miles.
Rear suspension makes a weird "slapping" noise whenever someone is sitting in the back seat.
Check engine light comes on and off at will.
LOTS of electrical problems, too numerous to list.
Engine runs hot according to the temperature gauge whenever sitting still at idle.
Alternator is getting replaced as I'm typing this. Other electrical anomalies have been found in the process.
Interior clock back lighting stopped working about 2 months ago.
Heater blower motor only works in two positions: low and medium-high. I haven't got this fixed because of all of the other major problems.
Fog lights burn out almost monthly.
Rear brakes grind and lock up the wheels if it's been sitting for several days.
Air conditioning condenser leaks, haven't bothered replacing it.
Rear doors creak very loudly.
Serpentine belt had to be replaced at 80,000 miles due to cracks.
So much for a good trade in value. As the miles begin to rack up, it seems that the problems keep compounding. With the exception of the engine blowing at around 30,000 miles, the car was quite reliable until around 70,000 miles when everything started failing.
Like others have said, I would not use a Ford dealer for my repairs. I have been treated terribly and they haven't even been using genuine Ford parts!
In the past six months I have spent over $3000 and countless days in the shop. That's a pretty good down payment for a new car.
I have a 2 liter 1997 5 speed manual, and other than the clock back light failing, the car has ran fine. I have had to do normal things that most cars need. (timing belt died at 85k, and one thermostat replacement at 50k) The temp gauge does show that it is running hot, but I think the gauge is just not correct. It has never overheated since I replaced the thermostat at 50k miles. So if it is not actually overheating, I will not mess with it. I am closing in on the 100k mark now. The car is a tough machine. It was totaled out twice (hit by 2 drunk drivers that had no insurance). I did not have full coverage so I had to pay to fix it both times. It was cheaper to repair than replace. My only complaint would be with the AC vents. They are cheap, and break way to easy. Both the left and right side are broken. I am happy with the car, as I have never been stranded other than at 85K miles (due to when timing belt died). But I knew it was going as it was slipping, and the timing of the engine was all over the place. (loss of power) If I would have done what I needed, it would have never stranded me. Maybe I got lucky and did not get one of the "bad/lemon" Contours... but I am happy with the performance, especially when you factor in the MPG (which is very good)!
If your temperature gauge says its running hot it could be your thermostat, a few bucks, if that doesn't fix it then it might just be your car or you really are overheating :S.
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